World outrage at deadly attack

US President George W Bush today denounced the "terrorists" behind a deadly bombing at the UN headquarters in Iraq, and vowed that US-led reconstruction efforts would continue.

"The civilized world will not be intimidated, and these killers will not determine the future of Iraq," he said in a hastily arranged public appearance.

"Iraq is on an irreversible course towards self-government and peace."

Annan: 'act of unprovoked and murderous violence'

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan today condemned the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad as an "act of unprovoked and murderous violence."

In a statement read by his spokesman Fred Ekhard, Annan said everyone at the United Nations was "shocked and dismayed" at the attack.

"Nothing can excuse this act of unprovoked and murderous violence against men and women who went to Iraq with one purpose only; to help the Iraqi people recover their independence and sovereignty," the statement said.

Straw: Coalition will not be deterred

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw condemned the bombing as an "outrage" but said coalition forces would not be deterred by the attack.
"I am appalled by this callous attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad. My thoughts are with the relatives and friends of those who have been killed and injured," Straw said.

"I condemn this outrage against the United Nations, its staff and the people of Iraq. The victims, including (UN special representative) Sergio Vieira de Mello, are people who are dedicating themselves to helping Iraq and the Iraqi people towards a better future.

"This is an attack against Iraq, its people and the whole international community. It is but a further reminder of the ruthless and callous elements at large in Iraq, many of whose type were behind the Saddam regime," Straw said.

UN sees a political setback

The deadly blast at the UN headquarters building in Baghdad was a personal tragedy as well as a political setback for the UN mission in Iraq, a UN spokesman said.

"It is a tragedy, I think, not only personally but also a setback politically for the UN mission," UN chief spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters.

"The damage is substantial. The human suffering is great," Mr Eckhard said.

The acting UN high commissioner for human rights Bertrand Ramcharan voiced shock and outrage at a bomb blast at UN headquarters in Baghdad.

Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN human rights commissioner, who is provisionally UN special representative for Iraq, has been hurt in the explosion, UN officials said in New York.

"We are anxiously awaiting further information on the situation of our dear friends and colleagues, including the special representative of the secretary-general and high commissioner for human rights Sergio Vieira de Mello," Mr Ramcharan said in a statement.

"Such a despicable act directed at people whose only aim is to assist the people of Iraq recover from war and years of oppression is to be condemned by the whole international community," he added.

"We are deeply shocked and outraged by the explosion at United Nations headquarters in Baghdad," he said.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in May named the Brazilian-born Mr Vieira de Mello as his special representative for Iraq for four months.

Japanese PM regrets blast

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in Poland he "deeply regrets" the bomb blast.

"I deeply regret this bomb attack on the UN representation in Iraq," he told a joint news conference with Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller on the first day of a two-day visit to Poland.

"At the same time I would like to express my recognition, my esteem towards all those, who despite a dangerous situation in Iraq, work for reconstruction," he added.

Syrian Security Council president shocked

UN Ambassador Fayssal Mekdad of Syria, the Security Council president for August, said the council was shocked by the blast and would be briefed shortly on the explosion.

"We wish him [Mr de Mello] and all others who were wounded a very rapid recovery," he told reporters.